Supervisor of Assessments Gary Baxley first alluded to a 6% increase in the Equalized Assessed Value, but as of Wednesday night’s White County Board meeting, it will be a 10% increase.
Dustin from Bellwether stated,
“Obviously, this has been a hot-button topic in the community. The increase in the EAV has been hard to hit as it’s a moving target. In our initial meeting with the Supervisor of Assessment just a month and a half, two months ago, he alluded to a 6% increase to the EAV, but in the last meeting as of today, he had a 10% anticipated increase to the EAV.”
That Equalized Assessed Value is not set in stone; Baxley has until June to decide.
During the approval of the Consent Agenda, the board agreed to table the reappointment of Cindy Conely to the Downstate Illinois Board. Board member Amanda Cannon said she would try to find someone else to take the position. Another item that paused the approval was a $4,500 donation to the White County Senior Citizens Center; the reasoning was so board members could better understand what was going on.
The director of the Senior Center, Vicki Harrelson, was in attendance to provide more information on the struggle that they have gone through.
“And we’re just in one heck of a financial bind. I mean, our funding keeps getting cut from the state. The Illinois Department of Public on Aging has reduced the grant money that we’re getting. And we’re running here in White County at about a $22,000 deficit each month. If you’re 60 or over, or the spouse is someone who’s 60 or over, there’s a suggested donation of $5, but you don’t have to pay that. You don’t have to pay anything for your meal if you’re over 60 or the spouse is someone that’s over.”
With food prices increasing, Harrelson claimed that it costs the center close to $20,000 a month, and in 2024, they served almost 3,700 people in White County. Unfortunately, some residents, primarily individuals who live in the country, Harrelson stated about 60, have been removed from the service because of the delivery.
Other changes have been made; the center will only be opened every weekday but Wednesday, with Gottzz’s providing 60+ age residents with a 25% discount starting December 1st. In the end, the board agreed to donate $4,500.
There were updates from the county departments, including the White County Housing Authority chairperson, Chris Birkla.
Birkla shared a very positive update with the Housing Authority. The audit from HUD came back, and they scored 99%. The Housing Authority in White County has had a complete upgrade since 2022, thanks to a new Executive Director and the hardworking board members and staff. There is a vacancy, Andy Ford will be stepping down, but Birkla already has someone willing to fill the position, Grayville Mayor Travis Thompson. Thompson will be a great addition to the White County Housing Authority, thanks to the White County Board.
White County Sheriff Jordan Weiss told the board that Ben Arnold will be building a sign for the White County Jail since there hasn’t been one outside the building for 10+ years.
The County Clerk Kayci Heil thanked her girls in the office for their dedication and hard work during the election proceedings.
The following White County Board meeting will be on December 18th at 7 PM.v
